Why Shares of Fiserv Are Rising Today

Fiserv's stock has been in the gutter since a disastrous earnings report last October. But now an activist investor reportedly sees potential.Shares of the payments and bank technology company Fiserv (FISV +6.55%) traded nearly 6% higher, as of 1:17 p.m. ET.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier that activist investor Jana Partners has built a stake in the company and is lobbying for change that will lift the struggling stock. Big turnaround ahead The Wall Street Journal cited anonymous sources in its reporting, saying Jana supports the current CEO, Mike Lyons, who took the position last May. While Jana's position at Fiserv is unknown, the Journal reported that the investment manager believes the company could benefit from increased bank spending. Image source: Getty Images. Jana reportedly wants Fiserv to focus on its core banking franchise, which provides core processing technology that powers banks' daily operations. Jana also reportedly wants the company to conduct a strategic review and look to exit non-core assets. Fiserv, a stock that historically performed very well, saw its stock get absolutely crushed last October, following a dismal earnings report that cut the stock by more than half. In this report, management cut Fiserv's prior guidance, setting it well below expectations. The problem involved Fiserv's Clover point-of-sale payment processing business, which apparently had been charging excess fees to customers. The company is also being sued for allegedly misleading investors about Clover's growth. ExpandNASDAQ: FISVFiservToday's Change(6.55%) $3.89Current Price$63.25Key Data PointsMarket Cap$32BDay's Range$60.58 - $63.2552wk Range$57.79 - $238.59Volume300KAvg Vol9.9MGross Margin73.17% Fiserv's core technology banking business has also seen revenue declines, stoking concerns about the company's efforts to modernize its technology while retaining market share. Upside potential, but a long road ahead Fiserv has historically been a great business, and there's an opportunity to return to its former glory. Technology is now a key part of banking, and Fiserv has strong relationships with financial institutions that could make it a key partner if it can offer the right solutions. Right now, the company has lost the faith of shareholders, so it's going to be a show-me story. The stock trades at less than eight times forward earnings. I think it's worth a small starter position. Investors should then monitor the company's progress before buying more.Read NextJan 31, 2026 •By Jennifer SaibilOverlooked and Undervalued: Why Fiserv Deserves AttentionJan 30, 2026 •By Courtney CarlsenFiserv Stock: Buy, Sell, or Hold in 2026?Jan 22, 2026 •By Bram Berkowitz3 Things Investors Need to Know About Fiserv in 2026Jul 7, 2023 •By Dave KovaleskiWhy Fiserv Stock Rose 12.4% in JuneApr 14, 2023 •By Anthony Di PizioNasdaq Bear Market: 1 Growth Stock to Buy, and 1 to SellAug 17, 2022 •By Anthony Di PizioTech Sell-Off: 1 Fintech Growth Stock to Buy, and 1 to AvoidAbout the AuthorBram Berkowitz is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering financials, technology, consumer goods, and macroeconomic trends.

Before The Motley Fool, Bram worked in equity research covering bank stocks and as a reporter for local publications. He holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 licenses, as well as a bachelor’s degree in business with a minor in economics from Syracuse University.TMFBramX@BramBerkoStocks MentionedFiservNASDAQ: FISV$63.25 (+6.55%) $+3.89*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.